Week #5 2nd Nephi 9-16

 *Again I am putting this disclaimer in my blog. Please read the Book of Mormon for yourself and don't just take my notes as enough if you are curious of the content. I ask you to read it for yourself and pray and ask God if it's true.  In the front of my blog #1 is the phone number for a free copy.*

2nd Nephi chapters 9-16

  I am doing it more of my feelings and impressions than a verse by verse story re-telling. I want to write more about my testimony of the things I have learned. I would love to hear your insights, feelings and impressions as well.

  Jacob, the brother of Nephi, talks about how in the land of promise (the American continent) all of the tribes of Israel will be gathered.  He also talks about the need for a Savior and how the atonement will make a way for us to be forgiven of sin and to live with God again. If we reject the gift of the atonement we will have to stand before God and be aware of all of our wrongdoings.  

 In verse 28 he talks about how if people are educated sometimes they think they know better than to rely on God and how that is a tool of the devil. He states that "to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God." So education is not the problem but the pride of thinking that you know everything and that you don't look to God for more knowledge and wisdom than that is foolish.
  He also says the same thing about being wealthy, if you don't share and you look down on others for not having financial blessings, again that is worshiping your money more than God.

  He goes over most of the 10 commandments and talks about staying true to them. He asks us to be more spiritually minded and not to worry so much about the things of this world. Focus on the meekness, kindness and things that will get you closer to the Lord.

Chapter 10

  Jacob talks about how in Jerusalem at that time, Jesus would come and he would be crucified because the people were so wicked. The Jews thereafter would be scattered throughout the world, with many being destroyed and persecuted for their beliefs.  *side note, the book of Mormon was translated in the mid 1800's and 100 years later the holocaust happened where many of the Jews would be hunted, scattered and put to death*  Jacob testifies that in the last days, many of the Jews will come to accept Jesus as the Christ and that they will be restored to their lands and inheritance.

  The Americas will be a land of liberty to the Gentiles and there will be no kings here.  It will be a blessed land and a light unto the world. The wicked will not be able to stand against the country in wars unless the people here become wicked and turn their backs on God.

Chapter 11

Jacob and Nephi write about how Christ and God his father created the world and they will speak more of the words of Isaiah so we can learn to liken them to ourselves.  To liken them means to put yourself in their place and learn the spiritual lessons they are trying to teach.

Chapter 12

  Isaiah speaks of a latter day temple.  He talks about how people from all nations will come to the temple to learn and how people will repent and turn to God. He talks about the wickedness of worshiping idols, treasure and worldly wealth.  He says in the last days the rich will be humbled and the poor will be exalted or lifted up.

Chapter 13

Jerusalem will be conquered and fall into ruin because of their wickedness. There will be great destruction and there will be terrible mourning at seeing the desolation.

Chapter 14

The church of God in the last days will be glorious and beautiful. The filthiness of the world will be cleansed from the daughters of Zion (or his holy people) and they will be a light unto the world. The people of God will be a place of refuge from the storms and trials of life and from the wickedness of the world.

Chapter 15

Isaiah again talks about the destruction of the Jews and compares them to the branches of an olive tree. He talks about how desolate and scattered the Jews will become. He warns about those who drink too much alcohol and feast and indulge in laziness.  He warns against vanity and calling evil things good and good things evil. He warns about when people will "put darkness for light, and bitter for sweet" meaning telling people that something of God is bad and things of this world or of the devil are good for them. He warns of us relying on our own wisdom and persecuting those who put their trust in God.

Chapter 16

Isaiah speaks of Christ again who will come to cleanse and heal his people. There will be a remnant of the Jews who will accept him as the Christ and return to him.